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State Police investigate Bernalillo PD shooting and homicide case

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Staff Reports

The New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau is investigating a shooting involving a Bernalillo Police Department officer.

Preliminary information indicates around 6:30 pm on Sept. 3, two BPD officers were dispatched to a shots-fired call at the KOA Campground located at 555 South Hill Road in Bernalillo. Officers were given limited information from 911 calls that Fernand “Fred” Lete, 70, of Rio Rancho, had shot another male subject inside a camp trailer at the campground and that both the victim and Lete remained inside the camp trailer.

When the officers arrived at the camp trailer and announced their presence, Lete opened the door and was armed with a revolver. One BPD officer fired multiple shots. Lete subsequently returned inside the camp trailer and barricaded himself.

Surrounding law enforcement agencies were called to assist and a perimeter was set up around the location. Responding State Police tactical units utilized equipment to view the inside of the camp trailer and observed what appeared to be two deceased male subjects inside.

Officers made entry into the camp trailer and discovered Lete unresponsive from apparent gunshot wounds. EMS was contacted but Lete succumbed to injuries and died on scene. A second male subject, later identified as Michael LaPlante, 55, of Rio Rancho, was discovered deceased of apparent gunshot wounds.

A .38 caliber revolver was found inside the camp trailer near Lete’s possession.

The New Mexico State Police is also investigating LaPlante’s homicide. State Police agents are conducting interviews and the State Police Crime Scene Team is processing the scene for evidence.

This incident remains under investigation. The details concerning the homicide investigation and the police shooting remain under investigation with no further information available.

The name of the officer involved will not be released until all interviews are completed.

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